Sunday, February 28, 2016

“Horiyati”: a Social Magazine for Inmates of ADP Punitive Establishments

Within
the strategy espoused by the Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police
GHQ, the Punitive and Correctional Institutions Department at Abu Dhabi
Police dedicates significant attention to inmates. To this end, the
department endeavors to take part in several activities aimed at
supporting the positive role played by the Punitive and Correctional
Establishments Department in reforming and rehabilitating inmates. It
also acquaints community members with the different activities designed
to provide inmates with proper assistance; to encourage them and help
reinforce their self confidence.

Periodic Social Magazine

Colonel Ateeq Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments
at Abu Dhabi Police, explained that the department seeks to implement
modern rehabilitation means and methods to spread righteous values and
behaviors pillars for the benefit of inmates. “To achieve this goal, the
department has issued, as part of its cultural activities, a periodic
social magazine intended for the Punitive and Correctional Institutions
Department. The magazine tackles a wide array of cultural, scientific,
literary, and legal topics, as well as the affairs of inmates and
entertaining and funny articles. The first issue of the magazine was
published in 2002, and was called ‘Horiyati’ (which means ‘my freedom’),
in order to make inmates feels at ease, and provide them with a
distraction as an alternative to losing their freedom,” he said.

Adding
further, he said: “‘Horiyati’ is a varied community and
awareness-raising magazine designed for inmates and the public. It aims
to disseminate a brief and continuous message about the mission and role
of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments. It provides a
transparent overview of the humanitarian services and rehabilitation
programs offered to inmates in order to connect inmates with the outside
world and encourage them to get involved by expressing themselves on
its pages.”

It is worth mentioning that a total of 24
issues have been published to date, with more than fifty thousand free
copies distributed to inmates at the Punitive and Correctional
Establishments across the country. Copies of the magazine were also
distributed to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) institutions, the
various police departments, partners, and members of the public through
the department’s various participations in exhibitions, festivals,
events, and ceremonies.

A variety of topics

Moreover,
Colonel Al Dhaheri said: “The magazine covers news and activities
related to the Punitive and Correctional Establishments and highlights
rehabilitation events and activities provided to inmates. The magazine
also provides investigative articles and a variety of stories and
topics; some of which are specifically designed for penal
establishments. The topics are edited by a work team that includes a
number of inmates. The magazine has a standardized identity that
reflects the reform message and is consistent with the goals of the
Punitive and Correctional Establishments’ strategic plan.”

Colonel
Al Dhaheri stressed the keenness of both the MoI and the department to
implement the directives of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, which call for
upgrading the level of humanitarian services, improving the social
welfare mechanism for inmates, and providing the best ways and means to
achieve these goals.

In light of its mission, which
gives top priority to inmates and their well-being, the department seeks
to support the magazine, out of its firm belief in its positive role in
boosting inmates’ pride in their social role, and providing them with
the opportunity to fill their free time with useful activities that help
them adapt and later integrate into society after serving their
sentences.

Colonel Al Dhaheri noted that the Punitive
and Correctional Establishment Department dedicates significant
attention to inmates and provides them with support. He also pointed out
that launching the magazine provides inmates with an opportunity to
express their feelings, openly discuss their problems and submit their
inquiries. “This would help inmates adapt, integrate, and communicate
with both the prison community and the outside world. It also instills
hope in their hearts and helps them send a message to the outside
world,” he continued. In conclusion, he indicated that a number of
inmates take part in editing and preparing topics for the “Horiyati”
magazine, while others handle design and production.

The
Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official,
authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation
only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text,
which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department